Start and stop mechanism for talking-machines.



C. E. WOODS. START AND STOP MECHANISM FOR TA LKING MACHINES,

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-9. x913.

1,259,699. Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- U C. E-. WOODS.

sum AND STOP MECHANISM FOR TALKING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FI LED SEPTA). i913.

Patented Mar. 19, 1918M 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

-, C. E. WOODS.

START AND STOP MECHANISM FOR TALKING MACHINES.

' APPLICATION FILED saw-9. 1913.

1 ;259,699. Patented Mar. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

onrrsn s'rn'rns PATENT OFFICE.

CLINTON E. WOODS, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN GRAPHIC- PHONE COMPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 19,- 1918.

Application filed September 9, 1913. Serial No. 788,826.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLINTON E. Wooos, of Bridgeport. Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Start and Stop Mechanism for Talking -Ma-chines, whi h invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to start-ancl-stop mechanism especially designed for but not necessarily restricted to talking machines. In providing startandstop mechanism for talking machines, a variety of possible conditions have to be taken into consideration. The motor may be a continuously running motor, capable of being connected to, or dis connected from, the talking machine for starting and stopping the same; or, a motor such as an electric motor may be in constant operative relation'with the machine, and the current to the motor be switched on and off to start and stop the motor; or a spring-actuated motor may be in constant operative relation with the machine, and a sufficient resistance introduced at a suitable point in the mechanism to overcome the motor and stop the machine. which resistance being removed, permits the motor to start the machine. The object of the present in vention is to provide means whereby the talking machine shall normally be held stopped when the ire-producer is out of operative relation with the record-groove; whereby the talking machine shall be automatically started when the reproducer is placed in operative relation with the recordgroove, and whereby the talking machine shall continue to operate so long as the reproducer remains in operative relation with the record, but shall be stopped when the tone-arm. with its accompanying reproducer, is shifted to inoperative position, whether it be at the center or at the periphery of the record. A further object is to provide a simple and efficient device for accomplishing the results indicated above.

With this object in view, the invention consists, as in a ta king machine, of startand-stop mechanism therefor, a movable element or tone-arm, and means, as a cam, moving with said movable element or tone arm and positively actuating said start-and stop mechanism. Preferably, there is an arm connected with the movable element or tone-arm provided with two suitably spaced cams, either one of which is capable of being positioned to actuate the start and stop position to commence the reproduction of a record, the mechanism is automatically re leased, and the machine started, and it continues in operation until the tonearm is moved to a point (either at the center or the periphery of the record) where one of the cams again engages the start-and-stop mechanism. In case the .record is of sufficient length, the parts may be and sometimes are, so constructed that the record itself will advance the tone-arm sufiiciently near the center of the record-tablet to actuate the startand stop mechanism to stop the machine. Otherwise, the stoppingaction is effected by manually moving the tone-arm to the proper position.

The inventive idea involved is capable of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, two of which, for the purpose of illustrating the invention, are shown in the ac companying drawings, one showing the application of the inventive idea to a structure embodying an electrical motor, and the other to a structure embodying a spring motor; but it is to be expressly understood that such drawings are for the purpose of illustration only, and are not designed to define the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for this purpose.

In said drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view, showing the start and--stop mechanism constituting the present invention, operating in association with a spring motor;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the start-and stop mechanism operating in association with an electric motor;

Fig. 3 is a sid el a on, partly in sect-ion (some of the parts being broken away for the sake of clearness), showing the tone-arm, its mounting on a hollow support, and the connection between said tone=arm and the startand-stopmechanism; and

Figs. 4 and 5, are detail views.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference nun'ierals indicate like parts, is any suitable motor, whether spring or electric, secured in any usual or desired manner to the underside of a motor board 11. Said motor drives a vertical shaft 19, which passes through the motor board 11 and on which is mounted the usual turn table or record support (not shown). The motor board 11 is provided with aperforated car 13, preferably formed integrally therewith, on which car is mounted a hollow support 14: for the tone-arm. This support is provided with a flange 15 which rests on the ear, and an extension 16 that passes through the perforation in the ear in snug engagement therewith.

The tone-arm is preferably composed of a horizontal section 17 (to which the usual or any suitable sound-box is secured) and a vertical section 18, which, as here shown, is associated with a sound-deflector 18, though any suitable amplifying horn may be employed. \Vithin the vertical section 18 is preferably secured, to turn therewith, a sleeve 19 which projects down into the hol' low support 1% and is connected in any suitable manner to an arm 20 which is rotatable in a recess 21. in said hollow support 14. As here shown, the connection is effected through the intermediary of an annular member 2-2, provided at its upper end with a plurality of lugs 23 which engage in cor responding recesses in sleeve 19, and at its lowcrend with lugs 24 which engage corresponding recesses in arm 20. By this, or any other suitable connection between the -tone-arm and said lover, the movements of the former are transmitted to the latter, so that as the tone-arm is propelled across the record the arm 20 will be moved through th same angular distance. The starting and stop-ping of the motor are cont-rolled by the movements of the tone-arm operating through said arm 20, the latter acting to effectively perform this function, whether it is associated with an electrical motor 10, as indicated in Fig. 2, or with a spring motor 10, as indicated in Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and a, 26 is the usual electric plug connected to conductor 2i which conveys current to the electric motor 10, and 28 and 29 are conductors that lead to a suitable switch mechanism (not shown) contained in casing 29 rarried by casting 30 which is secured to the motor board in any suitable manner. The circuit to the motor is opened and closed at said switch by a movable element or terminal 31, which is operated from the arm 20, and which has bearing in an extension of said casting 3,0. hen the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2. the terminal 31 has been moved inward to open the circuit, and when the terminal occupies the position shown in Fig. 4. the circuit through the motor is closed. The terminal is moved inward (in the present instance to open the circuit) against the tension of coiled spring 32, which reacts between a nut 33 and a pin 34; passing through the terminal; and is moved in, the opposite direction by said spring 352.

The particular form of means herein shown for operating said movable element or terminal 31 consists of two cam surfaces 35 and 36 formed on extensions 87 and 38 of said arm 20, incline 39 being associated with cam surface 35 and incline 4L0 with cam surface 36. Between these inclines is provided a cut-out portion 41. l l hen either cam surface 35 or 36 engages the end of the movable member or terminal 31, which latter is preferably provided with an anti-frictional roller l2, said element is moved to open the switch and stop the motor. VVhe n said roller 42 engages incline 39 or 40, said movable element moved by spring 32 to close the switch and start the motor and the mot-or continues to run while the cutout portion 41 passes the movable member, as shown in Fig. -l. The function of incline 3 and ll) is to control the compression and expansion of spring 32, so that its action will be gradual, and the mo! or will be started and stopped without violence or jarring, though none the less quickly and effectively.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and the present invention is shown as applied to a talking machine whi h is operated by a spring motor 10. The governor shaftis indicated by 4.3, and 514 is a friction disk keyed to said shaft. in thi the in entive idea. the movement of element 31. operates. by any suitable means, to press friction pads 45 against the friction disk with sufficient force to stop the motor. The particular means here shown consist of a crank 46,01 9, end of which engages the mova lo element '81, and the other end of which is securely fixed to the upper extremity of a sleeve 47 rotatable on a pin 48 secured in casting 30, the lower extremity of said sleeve carrying an arm 49 to the free end of which is secured a resilient member 50. This memcrnbodiment o ber bears against a lever 51 pivoted in brackets 5252, said lever carrying a frictionpad-supporting member 53 to which are secured aplurality of friction pads which, as heretofore stated, are pressed against friction disk 44 to stop the motor. The pads 45 are moved against the tension of spring 54L (F ig. 1) into engagement with disk ell to stop the motor. One end of said spring is secured to crank 46 and the other end is anchored to casting 30, said spring acting to remove the pads from the friction disk when the cam surfaces 35 and 36 are disengaged from roller 42.

The horizontal movement of the tone-arm is limited in any suitable manner; as'here shown (Fig. 3), the end of a screw 55, carried by the hollow support I l, engages in a slot 56 in sleeve 19 carried by the vertical section 18 of the tone-arm.

The operation of the device is as follows If the sound record is of suflicient length so that, when the reproduction is completed, the tone-arm shall have moved the arm 20 until the ram surface 36 has engaged the roller at), the motor will. be automatically stopped. On the other hand, if the record is a shorter one, so that the tone-arm does not move far enough to engage the cam surface 36 with roller 42, the motor may be stopped by manually moving the tone-arm the necessarv additional distance to engage surface 36 with roller 42. At this time, the tone-arm and the sound-box occupy the po sit-ion shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, that to say, the sound-box is adjacent the centor of the record tablet. The motor is also stopped when cam surface 35 engages roller 4-2 and actuates movable member 31. This engagennent is effected by swinging the tonearm in the opposite direction to that in which it is; propelled by the sound-record. and until the pin 55 engages the end of slot 567 At this time the sound-box is clear of the record, and when it is desired to start the motor: the operator moves the sound-box and tone-arm inward until the stylus ongages the commencement of the record, at which time the roller has passed off of cam surface 35 and onto incline 39, thus permitting spring 52: (Fig. 1) or spring 32 (Fig. 2) to displace movable member 31 to close tl e circuit of the electric motor 10 or to withdraw from disk il: the friction pads 45 associated with the spring motor 10. hen the roller 42 reaches the inner end of incline 39, the movable member 31 has reached the limit of its movement toward the right- (Fig. 1 and said member continues in this position until incline ll) engages roller 42, when nmnber 31 is gradually forced toward the left against the tension of its associated spring. When cam surface 36, either manually or automatically, engages roller 42, as heretofore stated, the movable element 31 will have reached. the extremity of its movement toward the left, to the end that the circuit of the electric motor is opened or the friction pads 45 are pressed into stopping ongagement with friction disk 44.

While for the purpose of clearness, two embodiments of the inventive idea have been herein described and illustrated in detail, it is to be understood that the inventive idea is not limited to the structures shovn, but that it is susceptible of various embodiments conforming to the definition of the invention given in the claims which follow,

hat is claimed is 2- 1. In combination, a-rotating element, a movable element traversing said rotating element and means moved by said movable element and including a plurality of spaced cams for positively stopping the movement of said rotating element.

2. In combination, a rotating element, a movable element traversing said rotating, element, and means connected to said movable element and moving therewith for positively stopping the movement of said rotat ing element, said means including a plurality of spaced cams.

3. In combination, a rotating element, a pivoted element adapted to swing across said rotating element, a movable member associated with and controlling the move ment of said rotating element, and means actuated by said pivoted element for positively moving said member, said means in cluding a plurality of spaced cams.

In combination a rotating element. :1 pivoted element adapted to swing across said rotating element, a movable member associated with and controlling the movcn'nml of said rotating element, and means moved by said pivoted element and positively moving said member, said means including a plurality of spaced cams.

5. In combination, a motor, a record sup port driven thereby, sound-reproducing means associated therewith, a movable mom ber associated with and controlling the operation of said motor, and means including a plurality of cam surfaces moving with said soundreproducing means and positively moving said member to stop said motor mechanism.

6. In atalking machine, a motor, a record support driven thereby, a swinging tonearm, a movable member associated with and controlling the operation of said motor, and means moved by said tone-arm and positively operating said movable member to stop the motor, said means including a plurality of spaced cam surfaces.

7. In a talking machine, a motor, a swinging-arm, a movable member associated with and controlling the operation of said motor, and means positively operating said movable member including a plurality of spaced cam surfaces connected to and movable with said swinging arm.

8. In a talking machine, a motor, a swinging-arm, a reciprocatory member associated with and controlling the operation of said motor, and means positively operating said reciprocatory member'including a plurality of spaced 0am surfaces connected to and movable withsaid swinging-arm.

9. In a talking machine, a motor, a swing ing-arm, means for stopping the motor ineluding a movable member, and means positively actuating said movable member including a plurality of spaced cam surfaces connected to and moving coaxially with said swinging-arm.

10. In atalking machine, a motor, a swinging-arm, means controlling the operation of the motor including a movable member, a cam surface connected with the swinging-arm and positively displacing said mov- "able member to stop the motor, and a second cam surface connected with the swingingarm and also adapted to engage said memher to stop the motor, said cam surfaces be ing spaced.

11. In a talking machine, a motor, aswingingarm, means controlling the operation of the motor including a movable member, and a plurality of spaced cam surfaces adapted to positively displace said movable member, one being automatically moved into engagement with said movable member to stop the motor and the other being moved into such engagement by the manual movement of the swinging-arm.

12. In a talking machine, a motor, a swinging-arm, means controlling the opera tion of the motor including a movable member, and a plurality of spaced cam surfaces connected with the swinging-arm and moved thereby adapted to positively displace said movable member, one being automatically moved into engagement with said movable member to stop the motor and the other hein g moved into such engagement by the manual movement of the swinging-arm.

13. In a talking machine, a motor, means controlling .the starting and stopping of the same including a movable member, a swinging-arm, an arm connected thereto and movable therewith, and two spaced cam surfaces provided on said arm for engaging and positively actuating said movable member to stop the motor.

14:. In a talking machine, a motor, means controlling the starting and stopping of the same including a movable member, a swinging-arm, an arm connected thereto and movable therewith, and two spaced cam s rf ces provided on said arm, one being automatically moved into engagement with said mov able member to positively displace the same and stop the motor and the other being moved into such engagement by the manual movement of the swinging-arm.

15. In a talking .machine, a motor, means controlling the startin and stopping of the same including a movfiile member,a swing inga.rm, a sleeve connected thereto and movable therewith, an arm connected to said sleeve, and two spaced cam surfaces provided on said arm .for engaging and positively actuating said movable member to stop the motor.

16. In a talking machine, a motor, means controlling the starting and stopping of the same including a movable member, a. swinging-arm, a sleeve connected thereto and movable therewith, an arm connected to said sleeve, and two spaced cam surfaces provided on said arm, one being automatically moved into engagement with said movable member to positively displace the same and stop the motor and the other being moved into such engagement by the manual move ment of the swinging-arm.

17. In a talking machine, a motor, means controlling the starting and stopping of the same including a movable spring-pressed member, a swinging-arm, a sleeve connected to and movable therewith, an arm connected to said sleeve, and two spaced cam surfaces provided on said arm for engaging and positively actuating said movable member to stop the motor.

18. In a talking machine, a motor, means controlling the starting and stopping of the same including a movable spring-pressed member, a swinging-arm, a sleeve connected to and movable therewith, an arm connected to said sleeve, and two spaced cam surfaces provided on said arm one being automatically moved into engagement with said movable member to positively displace the same and stop the motor and the other being moved into such engagement by the manual movement of the swinging-arm.

19. In a talking machine, a motor, means controlling the starting and stopping of the same including a movable spring-pressed member, a swinging-arm, a sleeve connected to and movable therewith, an arm connected to said sleeve, and two spaced cam surfaces provided on said arm one being moved into engagement with said movable member to positively displace the same and stop the motor by manual movement of the swinging-arm.

20. In a talking machine, a motor, means controlling the starting and stopping of'the same including a movable member, a swinging-arm, a plurality of spaced cam surfaces connected to and movable with said swingingarm, one of said cam surfaces being moved into engagement with said movable member and sta spaced jcain surfacesprovided oiji saidarm, a and-stop mechanism positively actuated by SEtlCl ca'n surtaoes, said start and-stop mechanism being out of contact vitl'r the cam surfaces While the swingingarm is propelled by tlierecord-groove. n

In combinatioma rotary record support, a tone-armassociated therewith, and

stop mechanism comprising meansoonnected a traveling element propelled across said rotat ng element with saiditone-arni for ositivel r StOOJiIiP 1.3

i said record supportsaid stopmechanism comprising spaced means lOGCOIiililgBflECt-TVB at spaced pointsin the range of niovenient of said tone-arm.

23. lircombination,a rotary record sup port; a tone-arm associated therewith and having limited range of movement, and

stop mechanism comprising means connected with said tone-arm for POSlt'lv'Gly stopping said record support adjacent either eatiremity of the range of movement of said toneln combination a rotating element,

a movable element associated therewith, a

movable member controlling the movement a of said rotating element, and means moved by said movable element for positively ac-g tasting said member at spaeedpoints in the range of movement of iiovable element.

25. In combination, a rotating element) a movable element assoc ated there-with and having a limited range of movement, a movable membercontrolling the movement of said rotatingelement, and means moved by said movableelenieiit for positively actuat ing said member adjacent either extremity of the range of movement or said movable 1 element. n

26. In combination, a rotating element,

a swinging arm associated therewith, a movable nieml er controlling the movement of said rotating element, and an arm moving with said swinging arm and positively actuating said i'i blllbel' adjacent either extremity e of movement of a said swinging arm. v

2-7. In combination, a rotating element, a traveling element, a movable member controlling the movement of said rotating ele ment, and means moving with said traveling element positively and autoniatioally actu-i ating said member when moved in one tion by said traveling elementaiid posi J actuating said member When moved in the opposite direction by the manual movement of said traveling element.

In combination, a rotating element, a traveling arm propelled thereby, a movable anember controlling the movement of said rotating element, and an arm moved by said an arm connected; thereto, a plurality of I ling s niotorf-driven rotating element; ing element normally propelled the rotatdirecto actuate positively said member when moved in. the opposite direction by manual inove nentoit said traveli ig arm) a p In combination, a motor, a swinging arni a moi v, topping of saidinoto i',and means with said arii'; andpositivelj ttCijHiiii aid member to stop the motor upon said traveling arm to actuate positively and autov a f mat eally said member When propelled in one direction by said rotating element and ie member controlling" the st-art- 3.1111 being moved to initial inoperative posiel tion. f a a a i 30. In t comb nation, "a rotat ng element in one directim a member controlling the movement oitsaid rotating element, and iiiezins mo-vedby said traveling element and positively actuating said member upon movement of said traveling elenset in the oppositedirection to initial lI lf' operative position;

nected with and moved by said tone-arm and positively actuating said stopflmechanism when the tone-arin s restored t0 1111t1a l 111- operative position, a v i n 32. In C(llllblilfltlofi wlilll arotary record support and; a tone-aria associatedthere W1tl1, ot stop mechanism, and means con:

nected with and i moved by said tone-arm and positively actuating said stop mechanism fl-ClJEtCGHl) either GKDI'GlIlltY of the range otinovement of said toiie-arjm.j

33. The combination With ing element, of mechanism serving to auto iiiatically admit power to the motor upon I the movement of the traveliiigelement in word from a position outside the periphery of the rotating element.

34s The combination With a motor, a inotor driven rotating element anda traveland a travel-v ing element normallv propelled bythe rota-tv ing element of mechanism serving to autoniatieally admit power to the motor upon movement otthe traveling element to operative position adjacent the periphery of the rotating element.

i is

85. In a talkingmachine, the combination a of a motor, a recordsupport driven thereby,

sound-repreducing means mounted to cooperateivith a reoord on said support, and

insane to automatically admit power to said motor upon movement of said sound-reproducin means into cot'iperative a relation with the record on said supportrf I h 36. In atallring maehmeythe combination a of a motor, arecord support driven thereby,

soimd-reprodi cmg means mounted to 00- operate With a record on said support, and a means to start said motor-upon movement of I d Smind-reproducing means inward to all operative position.

i. In a talkingnmchiue the combination of :1 motor, a record support driven thereby,

sound-repreducing means mounted to cooperate with :1 record on sand support, stop mechanism, and means to positively actuate said step mechanism to stop said motor upon mov In a talking machine, the combination of a motor, a record support drlven thereby, sound'i'eproducing means mounted to c0- pent of said sound-reprodueiugiuesms 'tolnltml inoperative posltlon'.

operate with a record onsaid support, stop IlU-EChBJIiISlll and means operatively connected with said sound-reproducing means 50 positively actuate said seep mechanism to stop said motor in; spaced points in the travel of sound-reproducing means.

In testimony whereof I have signed tins speclficetion m'the presence of two subsorlb- Copies of this; patentmay be obtained for'five. cents each, by addressing; the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D; G. 

